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Pellegrini baffled by dismal Man City display

Date published: Saturday 21st November 2015 8:01

Manuel Pellegrini found it ‘difficult to understand’ Manchester City’s disastrous display in their 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

The stage was set for a mouth-watering clash after Jurgen Klopp’s Reds ended October with a fine 3-1 win at Chelsea, with City having beaten Crystal Palace and Norwich in their previous two home encounters.

And Klopp’s Reds flew out of traps, with their famous ‘gegenpressing’ leading to an own goal by Mangala, who struggled to live with Liverpool’s relentless closing down.

The powerful defender’s mistake for the opening goal caused panic in the City ranks and the visitors took full advantage, with Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino combining clinically to send the men in red into a 3-0 lead after just 33 minutes.

A stunned home crowd had something to cheer about after Sergio Aguero scored a superb solo goal just before the break.

But the hosts huffed and puffed to no great effect after the interval, with Joe Hart pulling off several fine saves to keep the scoreline respectable before Martin Skrtel powered home a late fourth goal to move Liverpool within six points of fourth-placed Arsenal in style.